What are the most beautiful ungulate species in your opinion ?

[Kudu21]

Well it is really great to read such a comprehensive and personal reply about these animals and your affection for them is clearly very strong.

I found your account of the hand raised okapi to be really entertaining and endearing (I was imagining an adult okapi behaving like a labrador ). I also love that you describe them as "velvety-oilly horses" (I would say that would be an apt description for tapirs too) as it does make a lot of sense in terms of what you have said about their temperaments.

I find the okapi to be fascinating and it is one of the most interesting of the larger ungulates in my opinion. While I haven't had any direct experience I've had the pleasure of watching them in captivity at the London zoo and they just seem so sensitive, mysterious and inscrutable.

I've read a bit of the earlier literature about their discovery and the effort that went into their "collection" etc so this might have influenced why I find them so mysterious. That said, thanks to research we are discovering more and more about these animals and we now know that they communicate with infrasound.

I was wondering whether you have ever seen any behaviours with your captive okapi relating to this sort of communication ?

An adult okapi behaving like a Labrador is not far off the mark for this particular animal-- a Labrador with an attitude when he doesn't get his way, anyways!

There is undoubtedly a lot still to be learnt about okapis, but a lot has been learned in recent years. In fact, a whole new care manual is about to come out with the results of a lot of recent research!

As far as the infrasonic communication goes, I'm not sure. All of our okapi can see at least one other okapi from their enclosure, so they definitely all know that there are other okapi around, and we know that they are picking up on cues from one another. I don't work with the okapi as much as I used to, as I am lead of another section now, so those who work with them more regularly might have specific instances that might relate to infrasonic communication.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

An adult okapi behaving like a Labrador is not far off the mark for this particular animal-- a Labrador with an attitude when he doesn't get his way, anyways!

There is undoubtedly a lot still to be learnt about okapis, but a lot has been learned in recent years. In fact, a whole new care manual is about to come out with the results of a lot of recent research!

As far as the infrasonic communication goes, I'm not sure. All of our okapi can see at least one other okapi from their enclosure, so they definitely all know that there are other okapi around, and we know that they are picking up on cues from one another. I don't work with the okapi as much as I used to, as I am lead of another section now, so those who work with them more regularly might have specific instances that might relate to infrasonic communication.

Sounds like such a character ! What is his name ?

The new manual sounds interesting, was the recent research you mention carried out with captive okapi or wild ones ?

 

[CheeseChameleon1945]

Yeah, it is sad. Virtually pretty much all rhino species need our help, (some more than others of course), and its sad to see this species treated like its corn that you can just pick from a field and sell. When I was younger I was so dedicated to this species I always asked my mom every week if the Sumatran rhino was still alive. Of course, I was exaggerating a bit but I didn't know much about the conservation of the species when I was younger. I distinctly remember looking at the Sumatran rhino animal fact card, and I used to think the red question mark meant that they might be extinct, but I soon learned that that wasn't so. I love the look of the
Sumatran rhino because the animal cards that I had were realistic drawings of the animals, not pictures. But the artist who drew the animal I think captured the aw of the animal, especially with the lush rainforest jungle background of the picture. I feel a lot more sympathetic for these animals than some other people do, as when I see a picture of the animal at a zoo the beauty I feel is lost from the creature, as it isn't from its natural home land. I don't know if you feel this way, but taking a look at 2 different pictures from the internet, the Rhinos shown in a jungle setting feels like its beauty is a lot more amazing than it is in compared from a picture in a zoo.

Now, I really have to work on my dream zoo as I want some of it to come out today, so Im gonna go work on that.

Also I would have to say another reason is I think I read a book somewhere, (not really sure where I was or how I got it) All about the anatomy of the Sumatran rhinoceros. I was young at the time, around 6-7 years old I think. The book was old, (the late 1800s? ) and full of fuzzy pictures and black-and-white drawings. I didn't understand much of the words, but I always loved looking at all the drawings of the rhino. If anyone can please find this book somewhere or has any Idea on what this book might be, that would be appreciated.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

Also I would have to say another reason is I think I read a book somewhere, (not really sure where I was or how I got it) All about the anatomy of the Sumatran rhinoceros. I was young at the time, around 6-7 years old I think. The book was old, (the late 1800s? ) and full of fuzzy pictures and black-and-white drawings. I didn't understand much of the words, but I always loved looking at all the drawings of the rhino. If anyone can please find this book on some website it would be appreciated.

This book was from the late 19th century ?

 

[CheeseChameleon1945]

This book was from the late 19th century?

I think so, remember, My memory is foggy but I don't remember where I saw it or how I got it. I know for sure it wasn't mine. The only picture I think I remember was a drawing of the Sumatran rhinos head, showing its internal structure (I think?). Don't really know much about this so my head might be going bonkers but I have had this memory for a long time.

 

[Kudu21]

Sounds like such a character ! What is his name ?

The new manual sounds interesting, was the recent research you mention carried out with captive okapi or wild ones ?

His name is Omar, and he is, indeed, quite the character!

From what I've heard, the manual will be particularly interesting, with a lot of new information and updates from the 2004(!) version. The research referenced in the manual is coming from studies conducted on both wild and captive okapi.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

His name is Omar, and he is, indeed, quite the character!

From what I've heard, the manual will be particularly interesting, with a lot of new information and updates from the 2004(!) version. The research referenced in the manual is coming from studies conducted on both wild and captive okapi.

It must be amazing to work so close with such enigmatic animals and to think that just over a century ago they were just a rumour to everyone but the Baka peoples.

I'll keep a look out for that manual, it sounds very interesting indeed.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

I think so, remember, My memory is foggy but I don't remember where I saw it or how I got it. I know for sure it wasn't mine. The only picture I think I remember was a drawing of the Sumatran rhinos head, showing its internal structure (I think?). Don't really know much about this so my head might be going bonkers but I have had this memory for a long time.

I have no idea how you could go about identifying the title of a late 19th century book with fuzzy black and white illustrations of Sumatran rhinos.

I think there must be literally hundreds of books that match that description.

I would imagine it would be very challenging to do unless you were able to remember some other characteristic of this book.

 

[CheeseChameleon1945]

I have no idea how you could go about identifying the title of a late 19th-century book with fuzzy black and white illustrations of Sumatran rhinos.

I think there must be literally hundreds of books that match that description.

I would imagine it would be very challenging to do unless you were able to remember some other characteristics of this book.

Yeah, my memory is pretty vague, so my descriptions will not be helpful. I only remember (as I
said earlier) The only defining characteristic of this book is the date, (which I've mentioned) and a drawing (I think a side view) of a Sumatran rhino's face, with maybe some cross-sections into the internal structure of the rhinos head.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

Yeah, my memory is pretty vague, so my descriptions will not be helpful. I only remember (as I
said earlier) The only defining characteristic of this book is the date, (which I've mentioned) and a drawing (I think a side view) of a Sumatran rhino's face, with maybe some cross-sections into the internal structure of the rhinos head.

Can't help you with that unfortunately @CheeseChameleon2007

 

[CheeseChameleon1945]

Can't help you with that unfortunately @CheeseChameleon2007

Yeah, I figured that, as even I could have tried to find it, but It would be really hard to decipher what book I'm thinking of. Hopefully I will come across it in the future!

EDIT: Perhaps a look in the internet archives is where I would start?

 

[vogelcommando]

Here my list and I only listed species I've seen alive and strange enough 3 ( 4 ) of them not mentioned sofar :
- Okapi - simply wunderful
- Bongo - same as Okapi
- Dama gazelle - here I can cheat a little because I've seen 2 subspecies of them and want to nominate them both ( Addra and Mhorr )
- Arabian oryx - Had read every book and every article I was able to find about the saving of this species in the 1970s and 1980s and had never dreamed to see them one day alive. Then at the beginning of the 1980s some animals came from the world-herd to Europe and I saw my first ones at Rotterdam Zoo. Since that day they realy belong to my all-time favorites !
- Yucatan brocket - small beautiful deer-species which is so rare that it automaticly also become somehow beautiful ( something which happens IMO quite often among ZooChatters ).

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

Here my list and I only listed species I've seen alive and strange enough 3 ( 4 ) of them not mentioned sofar :
- Okapi - simply wunderful
- Bongo - same as Okapi
- Dama gazelle - here I can cheat a little because I've seen 2 subspecies of them and want to nominate them both ( Addra and Mhorr )
- Arabian oryx - Had read every book and every article I was able to find about the saving of this species in the 1970s and 1980s and had never dreamed to see them one day alive. Then at the beginning of the 1980s some animals came from the world-herd to Europe and I saw my first ones at Rotterdam Zoo. Since that day they realy belong to my all-time favorites !
- Yucatan brocket - small beautiful deer-species which is so rare that it automaticly also become somehow beautiful ( something which happens IMO quite often among ZooChatters ).

These are some interesting ones indeed.

The dama gazelle is a beautiful animal, I agree, beautiful reddish brown markings around the neck and front which contrast with that cream / white coat. In fact I would probably say that is is my favourite species of all of the gazelles and I am always reminded of the Libyan desert diorama of the species at the AMNH.

The brocket deer (whether Yucatan or otherwise) is another beautiful little species and I'm very fond of these animals indeed.

Not sure whether the Arabian oryx has been mentioned yet in this thread but I agree it is another gorgeous looking animal and the history of conservation efforts regarding the species makes for very interesting reading too.

 

[Tim May]

Also I would have to say another reason is I think I read a book somewhere, (not really sure where I was or how I got it) All about the anatomy of the Sumatran rhinoceros. I was young at the time, around 6-7 years old I think. The book was old, (the late 1800s? ) and full of fuzzy pictures and black-and-white drawings. I didn't understand much of the words, but I always loved looking at all the drawings of the rhino. If anyone can please find this book somewhere or has any Idea on what this book might be, that would be appreciated.

The excellent Rhino Resource Centre website provides a useful on-line rhinoceros bibliography which might help you find the book you're looking for.

The link below provides a list of early works on Sumatran rhinos including some discussing the anatomy of the species

RRC: Search Results

 

[CheeseChameleon1945]

The excellent Rhino Resource Centre website provides a useful on-line rhinoceros bibliography which might help you find the book you're looking for.

The link below provides a list of early works on Sumatran rhinos including some discussing the anatomy of the species

RRC: Search Results

Thank you so very much @Tim May!

 

[CheeseChameleon1945]

Alright, since I don't know the exact date I think I'll narrow it down to in between 1879-1899.

 

[HungarianBison]

Okapi
Grevy's zebra
Oryx beisa callotis
Giant eland
Zebra duiker

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

The excellent Rhino Resource Centre website provides a useful on-line rhinoceros bibliography which might help you find the book you're looking for.

The link below provides a list of early works on Sumatran rhinos including some discussing the anatomy of the species

RRC: Search Results

That is a great resource @Tim May ! Thanks for sharing !

Hopefully it will help @CheeseChameleon2007 find the book he's after.

 

[CheeseChameleon1945]

Could this be it? RRC: On the anatomy of Rhinoceros sumatrensis

It has a vaguely familiar drawing at the end................

EDIT: I dont think so.... the drawing doesn't really click for me, and It would have been a book that was easily accessible, and this is a simple dissection paper. I'll keep searching!

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

Could this be it? RRC: On the anatomy of Rhinoceros sumatrensis

It has a vaguely familiar drawing at the end................

EDIT: I dont think so.... the drawing doesn't really click for me, and It would have been a book that was easily accessible, and this is a simple dissection paper. I'll keep searching!

Good luck with the search @CheeseChameleon2007 !